Old St. Joseph s Church Est. 1733 Philadelphia s Jesuit Parish November 4, 2018 Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time Parish Council 321 Willings Alley Philadelphia PA 19106 215-923-1733 www.oldstjoseph.org Parish Councils became popular in parishes as a result of the Second Vatican Council. As is well known, the Vatican Council altered the fundamental self-image of the Church, from the nineteenth century claim that the Church was the perfect society to a more egalitarian description of the Church. The people in the pews were upgraded to the people of God and so the people s role in the Church had to change as well. Now they were to have a voice beyond mere acquiescence to the directives from priests and bishops. Of course, all of these changes in the practical order ultimately depended on profound theological underpinnings articulated in the Council documents. The Council had opened new vistas on the role of baptism in the life of Christians and the significance of Holy Orders for ordained ministers, on how the Holy Spirit guides the Church, and how religious authority interacts with fundamental freedoms that belong to members of the Church. We have spent almost sixty years since the Council plumbing the meaning of all this. And one of the small but enduring issues has always been an organizational and management question: given the Council teachings, how do Parish Councils fit into the life of a parish? Church authorities have always insisted that Parish Councils are only advisory, leaving intact the prerogatives of the pastor under the authority of the bishop. More liberal factions tied their hopes to the Parish Council movement as a potential crack in the wall of clericalism, at least on the parish level. American Catholics integrated their cultural tradition of adversarial politics with Church polity, envisioning an elected Parish Council much like the legislature representing the people against a strong-willed executive in the person of an overbearing pastor. The lines were drawn. For the most part, parish life has matured beyond these rather simplistic and overly politicized characterizations. But integrating a Parish Council into the life of the parish remains a significant challenge. How can a Parish Council serve as an effective instrument to advance the pastoral and spiritual life of the parish community? I believe a Parish Council can make a significant contribution. But there is always the danger that even though some of the most generous parishioners volunteer to serve, they eventually walk away frustrated and disappointed because their experience has been so personally unrewarding. When that transpires, the fault lies with the Council members themselves, but even more with the pastor whose responsibility it is to guide, support and utilize the services of those who have volunteered to serve. None of us will probably live long enough to continued inside Old St. Joseph s is equipped with an audio hearing loop. Switch on the T-coil function of your device to use the loop. Booklets with the Sunday readings are in the rear of the church.
This Week at Old St. Joseph s Date Mass Intention and Presider Calendar Events Mon Feast of All Saints of the Society of Jesus 5 12:05 PM James & Katherine Henderson (D) Presider: Fr. O'Donnell SJ 6:00 PM PREP Tues 6 12:05 PM Old St. Joseph s Memorial Society Wed 12:05 PM Edward & Mary Britt Families (D) 7 Thurs Old St. Joseph s Memorial Society 8 12:05 PM Presider: Fr. O'Donnell SJ Fri 9 Sat 10 Sun 11 12:05 PM Vicentine Perricone (D) Presider: Fr. Dougherty SJ 12:05 PM Old St. Joseph s Memorial Society Presider: Fr. O'Donnell SJ 5:30 PM 7:30 AM 9:30 AM 11:30 AM 6:30 PM Presider: Fr. Dougherty SJ Presider: Fr. O Donnell SJ 12 Noon 7:30 PM 12 Noon 6:30 PM 7:00 PM 12 Noon 5:30 PM 6:30 PM 9:30 AM 1:00 PM 5:30 PM 5:30 PM Faith, Food, and Friends (Barbelin) Book Group (Loyola) Faith, Food, and Friends (Barbelin) Women, Faith & Fellowship (Drexel) Schola Cantorum Rehearsal Faith, Food, and Friends (Barbelin) Fairfield University Choir sings at Mass Fairfield University Choir Mini-Concert Children s Liturgy of the Word (Barbelin) Adult Ed: Rich Massaro (Barbelin) Loyola Choir Rehearsal (Church) YAC Pre-Mass Reflection (Greaton) In your prayers, please remember our sick and homebound brothers and sisters and our ministry at Pennsylvania Hospital. Adeline Acerno, Teresa Aponte, Louis Balestrucci, Rick Bravo, Debbie Brooks, Christopher Browne, Tony Corvaia, Melissa Counsellor, Charlotte Croce, Ann Crowther, Simeon Crowther, Fred DiStefano, Pat Farris, Lenny Felixson, Fred Hembree, Fr. Mike Hricko SJ, Aaron Hull, Edward Jacobs, Marie Jacobs, Mary Jacobs, Janet Jeitner, Tamae Kan, Catherine Keddie, David Luerssen, Fr. Jerry McAndrews SJ, James McBride, Jerry McBride, Christine Mari-Mazzola, Allen May, Angelo Miczza, D. Minter, Catherine O Brien, Bernie Paquett, Joanna Pearl, Lucy Pearl, Betty Farris Pfeiffer, Colleen Raymond, Kim Reed, Ursula Reed, Joan Russo, Steve Saunders, Barbara Schmidt, Mida Skalamera, Sara Smith, Lydia Staley, Janet Street, Ed Tomezsko, Arlene Tomlin, Craig Walsh, Patricia Yusko, Mickey Zippo. Bringing Communion to the Homebound When people are confined to home, they can remain connected to our shared worship by receiving Communion at home. If you, a family member, friend or neighbor (with their approval of course), would like to receive Communion at home, contact the Parish Rectory to arrange for a parish Eucharistic Minister to visit.
continued from front page see all the ecclesiastical issues resolved, especially in light of the disastrous events of recent years. But we should be able to address some of the underlying organizational and management issues that have limited the effectiveness of Parish Councils and to build on the tradition and successes that have graced this vigorous parish of Old St. Joseph. So last Spring I proposed a change in some of the procedures that have been governing the Parish Council here at OSJ. I am happy to report that the Council members overwhelmingly expressed their support for my proposals. So, here s an outline of what we are doing this year as a Parish Council. (It s very simple!) o The new members of the Council will be the heads of the various Parish Committees (Adult Education, Ignatian Spirituality, Liturgy Committee, Social Justice Committee, etc.) If the Committee head cannot serve, the members of the Committee may choose another representative. o Those Parish Council members with unexpired terms will continue to serve on the Council for the duration of their term. o The Pastor, after consultation, may appoint up to four parishioners to the Council who serve as atlarge members. o The primary agenda of Council meetings is to receive reports from the Committees regarding past activities and future plans. The expectation is that this exercise will influence subsequent deliberations within individual Committees. Thus, a spirit of mutual support and cooperation will be fostered among committees, enhancing parish unity. o The pastor will also offer a report on the state of the parish and hear reactions and suggestions from Council members. o The Council will meet five times a year, though additional meetings may be called if the need arises. I believe this simple format is practical and very down to earth. But it is also entirely open to addressing new parish issues as they arise, in a context that will encourage concrete reactions and specific actions. Furthermore, this method of selecting members of the Council better insures that the most active parishioners will be taking part in the deliberations. At the same time, as long as the Committees maintain an openness to new members and an effective recruitment effort, it is also open to new blood stepping forward. We ll see what happens. As I write this, our first meeting is coming up. Say a prayer. Walter F. Modrys, SJ Pastor
The Mission Continues If you, or someone you know, has ever considered serving the Church, as a Jesuit, then the Society of Jesus invites you to pray and discern if your passions and desires may lead you to a life with us. For almost 500 years Jesuits have been serving God s people as men on mission. Through prayer, we aim to orient our own passions and desires with God s desires for the Church and the world. To explore if God is calling you to serve in Christ s mission as a Jesuit priest or brother, please visit our Vocation Website, BeAJesuit.org We are ready to help you to discern our Jesuit life. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam! OSJ Book Group The OSJ Book Group will meet this Tuesday, November 6 in the Loyola Room of the rectory to discuss The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Juan Diaz. If you want to read ahead, December s book is Umberto Eco s The Name of the Rose. For questions, contact Carol Shloss at shlosscarol@gmail.com. Young Adult Community Runners The Return of the Runners: By popular demand, the OSJ Run Club returns this fall! We'll kick off the new season with a 3-ish mile group fun run for brunch on Saturday, November 10. All paces and levels of runners are welcome! We will meet at City Hall s Dilworth Plaza at 10:15 AM; at 10:45 AM, we ll set off for Local 44 at 44th and Spruce in West Philly. (Many trolley lines run nearby for easy access back to Center City or points beyond! Don't forget your SEPTA Key!) Contact Tom Umile at tpumile@gmail.com for more information. Announcements Requiescat in pace Jack Lees Parishioner Jack Lees passed away last Friday, October 26, 2016, after a long illness. Jack was at home when he died surrounded by his wife, Pat, and family members and friends. Jack received the sacrament of the sick and viaticum (Holy Communion) in the days before his death. His funeral mass will be celebrated at Holy Innocents Church (1337 East Hunting Park Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19124) on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 11 AM. Father Bob Carroll, a long-time family friend, will be the celebrant of the Mass and homilist. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine on him; may his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace, Amen Advent by Candlelight on November 28 Women Faith and Fellowship invites all women in the parish to an evening of reflection, song and prayer at Advent by Candlelight in Barbelin Hall on Wednesday November 28, 7:00-9:00 PM. Rev. Julia Sheetz PhD, Associate Director of Campus Ministry for Ecumenical and Interfaith Outreach at Villanova University, will reflect on From Scared to Sacred: Receiving the Gifts of Darkness. The evening s prayer and candle lighting will be followed by dessert, coffee and tea. For more information and to RSVP (the evening is free), contact Women, Faith and Fellowship at wff@oldstjoseph.org. Tolling the Bell On Sunday, November 11 at 11 AM, places of worship, schools, town halls and carillons across the US toll their bells to mark the 100 th anniversary of the armistice ending World War I. In that war 116,516 Americans died and over 200,000 were wounded. OSJ will join in tolling our bell in honor of them and in hope of more lasting peace.
Flash Financial Report Below is a listing of parish ordinary income and expenses for the first quarter of our fiscal year, July through September. Three months, especially during the summer, offer only a preliminary picture of how the full year will turn out. But so far, we are holding up fairly well when we compare this year s numbers to last year s at this time. There are always fluctuations from year to year. Income is down slightly, but expenses are also reduced. So, the bottom line shows that we are about $4,000 ahead of last year s pace at the end of September. Note that Sunday contributions are holding steady, with no real increase over last year, even though our budget calls for a 7% increase. As always, thank you for your generosity. We ll keep you informed as we move along through the fiscal year. Fr. Walter Modrys SJ Pastor Actual 2017 - (July-Sept.) Prior Year Actual 2018 (July-Sept.) Present Year INCOME $125,719 $125,299 Sunday Contributions 3,533 2,682 Weddings 55,600 50,500 Candles 2,182 1,913 Offerings for Religious Services 2,620 3,350 PREP Fees 9,720 8,185 Activities Income 9,370 10,704 TOTA: INCOME 208,743 202,634 EXPENSES Salaries 75,848 74,617 Employee Medical Insurance 13,012 9,972 Employee Taxes & Benefits 12,412 8,563 Diocesan Assessments 19,604 20,625 Support Services 14,268 6,189 Activities Expenses 16,209 15,733 Physical Plant Expenses 19,545 22,378 Jesuit Community Expenses 5,073 7,979 TOTAL EXPENSES 175,970 166,056 NET ORDINARY INCOME $32,773 $36,578
INFORMATION Rectory Office Hours Monday through Friday: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM Mass Times Monday through Saturday: 12:05 PM Saturday Vigil Mass for Sunday: 5:30 PM Sunday: 7:30, 9:30, 11:30 AM and 6:30 PM Holy Days: 12:05 and 7:30 PM Medical Emergency In the event of a medical emergency when the need for a priest is urgent, please call the rectory. Hearing Enhancements Old St. Joseph s is equipped with an audio hearing loop. Switch on the T-coil function of your device to use the loop. Booklets with the Sunday readings are in the rear of the church. Registration Persons who want to register as parishioners should complete a parish registration form and return it to the rectory office by mail or in person. Registration forms are available in the rectory office during normal office hours, on the bookcases in the back of the church and online at www.oldstjoseph.org. Sacrament of Reconciliation Monday through Saturday: 11:30 AM to noon or by appointment Sacrament of Baptism Persons wanting to arrange for a baptism should call Fr. Dougherty at the parish office at least two months before the desired date to arrange catechesis and the baptism celebration. The Sacrament of Anointing The Sacrament of Anointing (the sacrament of the sick) is administered during the 12:05 PM Mass on the first Saturday of each month. Homebound or hospitalized persons wanting to receive the Sacrament of Anointing should call the parish office. Sacrament of Matrimony Persons wanting to be married in the parish should call Fr. O Donnell at the parish office at least nine months before the desired date. Rite of Christian Initiation Unbaptized adults who are considering baptism into the Catholic Church, baptized Catholics who have received no other sacraments and who want to be confirmed and to receive First Eucharist, and baptized non-catholics who are considering full communion in the Catholic Church should call Fr. O Donnell at the parish office. To arrange Mass of Christian Burial The funeral director should call the parish office. Pastor Fr. Walter Modrys SJ (pastor@oldstjoseph.org) Parochial Vicar Fr. Edward O Donnell SJ (eodonnell@oldstjoseph.org) In Residence Br. Robert Carson SJ Fr. Edward Dougherty SJ (dougherty@oldstjoseph.org) Pastoral Associate BJ Brown (bjbrown@oldstjoseph.org) Business Manager Eric German (germane@oldstjoseph.org) Director of Music Mark Bani (music@oldstjoseph.org) Parish Offices (office@oldstjoseph.org) PREP Coordinator Christine Szczepanowski (prep@oldstjoseph.org) Faith, Food & Friends Director Deborah Hluchan (faithandfriends@oldstjoseph.org) Parish Pastoral Council Rana McNamara and Richard Le, co-chairs (osjpc@oldstjoseph.org) Parish Finance Council Paul Shay, chair Historic Preservation Corporation Board Fr. Walter Modrys SJ, president. Adult Education Rita O Brien and Jeanmarie Zippo (adulted@oldstjoseph.org) Eldership Joan Slavin (joanslavin@aol.com) Parish Life Joe Casey (joetcasey@aol.com) Ignatian Spirituality and Formation John Bitterman (osjspirituality@oldstjoseph.org) Women, Faith and Friends Rana McNamara (wff@oldstjoseph.org) Young Adult Community Jenn Lydic and Megan Prilutski (osjyac@gmail.com) Altar Servers Maria Ramirez (mathra71@yahoo.com) Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Bill Stewart (wstewart@kaplaw.com) Hospital Ministry Luanne Balestrucci (lbalestrucci@yahoo.com) Homebound Ministry Neal Hébert (neal9536@gmail.com) Lectors Lou Anne Bulik (labulik@yahoo.com) Ushers Nikola Sizgorich (niksiz@icloud.com) Children s Liturgy of the Word Peggy Connolly (pmcon@comcast.net)